June 2, 2026 Submitted By Susie Davidson
Rex Chen of Hingham accepts his certificate from Jack Arbeiter for winning the Israel Arbeiter Essay Contest at the State Room, Boston on April 12 (Photo: Susie Davidson)
On April 12, Rex Chen of Hingham was honored at the State Room in Boston as a winner of the Israel Arbeiter Holocaust Essay Contest, sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston each year for Yom HaShoah/Holocaust Memorial Day. Chen was one of six student winners across Greater Boston who demonstrated exemplary depth and skill in writing about what is regarded, given its death count, vast and systematic network and geographic breadth, as the deadliest genocide in human history.
That’s quite a challenge for a young boy, but Chen, who just completed 10th grade at Hingham High School and was shown the essay application by his teacher Ms. Kate Tortola, was both determined and farsighted. “I entered into the Holocaust Essay contest with a hope of inspiring other kids who want to make a change,” he said two years ago. “I wanted to prove that nothing is possible without trying. Furthermore, I wished to demonstrate my unique and creative way of writing in an essay about a serious and major event.” After winning the contest both in 2024 and this year, Chen’s descriptive style has certainly been established. “I also entered the contest again to see how my thinking has changed and how I can apply this new mindset to a slightly more difficult competition,” he told this writer.
And so during last month’s annual JCRC Boston’s Community Holocaust Commemoration, he joined five other students on the stage at the State Room in Boston to accept a framed certificate from Arbeiter’s son Jack, along with a trip to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington. The essay contest ceremony, attended this year by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, several Boston City Councilors, State Treasurer Deb Goldberg, the German and Israeli consuls and other officials, is held in honor of “Izzy” Arbeiter, a beloved Holocaust survivor and cofounder of the New England Holocaust Memorial who made it his mission to teach others about what he lived through, and how they could help to prevent any future Holocausts.
Chen got that lesson. “Over eight decades have passed since the Holocaust ended in 1945, yet its profound impact still resonates with many around the world,” he began in this year’s submission. “However, although it is impossible to undo the pain inflicted upon the millions of men, women, and children who suffered and died during this dark chapter in human history, it is imperative to reflect upon and teach their stories of determination, hope, and survival, so future generations can continue to honor those who passed away and make sure that such atrocities are neither forgotten nor repeated.”
The key, he wrote, is to almost put oneself into their shoes. “When we learn about families separated and communities destroyed, history becomes personal and more than a point on a timeline,” he explained. “The lessons become stronger and more meaningful, and by teaching these stories to future generations, we make sure that the enduring legacy of the Holocaust continues.” Chen quotes Holocaust researcher Yehuda Bauer: “Thou shalt not be a victim, thou shalt not be a perpetrator, but, above all, thou shalt not be a bystander.” It’s a tough course, especially given that antisemitism and other forms of discrimination are still with us. And so Chen suggests that we “detect warning signs before they escalate into violence and dehumanization,” and envision how fear and propaganda can influence and shape others’ thoughts and ultimately, their actions. He cites Anne Frank from her diary: “In the long run, the sharpest weapon of all is a kind and gentle spirit.”
Chen maintains that we don’t have to succumb to subtle manipulation, such as that employed by the Nazis, have choices, difficult as they can sometimes be, and can make our own decisions. “Understanding our role in shaping society empowers us to stand up for others and foster a world where doing what is right, not easy, guides our actions,” Chen wrote. Yes, it was 80 years ago, but, he writes, “The lessons of the Holocaust are calls to action that transcend time.” He reminds us that the Holocaust began with mere words and “the slow erosion of empathy,” and with meaningful actions, large and small, we do our part. Chen quotes Holocaust survivor and professor Elie Wiesel: “There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.” Even extending a helping hand or bringing in witnesses to barbarity to speak can help unite people of all races, cultures and religions. Chen would like to help inspire others and bring awareness to this issue “I feel like it’s one of those problems that won’t simply disappear, but each person can still play a part in making the community more welcoming, not just for Jewish people, but for all populations,” he said.
Chen lends praise to Hingham and its school system, his peers, teachers, and the inclusive community he’s been a part of since moving to the town from Quincy, where he lived for eight years. “Both my parents are Chinese immigrants (my mom is a teacher and my dad works in a restaurant) who came to the United States during the early 2000s,” he said. He has a brother, 18 and a sister, 10, and plays basketball and soccer. He enjoys reading and writing and hopes to become a doctor, so that he can help others and support organizations doing good work. On top of all this, he founded a clothing brand called Raion last fall. “We sell clothing and donate 50 percent of profits to nonprofits in the Boston area,” he said, citing one recipient, Boston and Providence-based Communities for People, which serves youth and adolescents in the foster care system.
Chen is looking forward to his visit to the USHMM: “Museums and memorials are also stark reminders of the limits of human cruelty displayed during the Holocaust, while making sure that the stories and identities of those who suffered are not lost in history,” he said. “Visiting these locations, especially the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, will give me insight into the systemic cruelty that resulted in millions of deaths.” He hopes many others can visit as well. “I hope every person, regardless of their race, religion, or culture, visits this museum or another memorial site to reflect upon how privileged they are to live in a society with freedoms and protections,” he wrote in his essay. “By better understanding the world we live in today, we can be more aware of our responsibility to protect those freedoms, stand up against injustice, and ensure that hatred never takes root again. After all, history is long, life is short – but the choices we make today shape the legacy we leave behind.”